Derived forms

Word origin of 'positive'

C13: from Late Latin positīvus positive, agreed on an arbitrary basis, from pōnere to place

positive for learners of EnglishPowered by COBUILD (pɒzɪtɪv)

Definitions

1. graded adjective & adjective [usu v-link ADJ]

If you are positiveabout things, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones. [+ about] ⇒ Be positive about your future and get on with living a normal life. ⇒ Her husband became much more positive and was soon back in full-time employment. ⇒ ...a positive frame of mind.

A positivefact, situation, or experience is pleasant and helpful to you in some way. ⇒ The parting from his sister had a positive effect on John. ⇒ Working abroad should be an exciting and positive experience for all concerned.

The positive in a situation is the good and pleasant aspects of it. ⇒ Work on the positive, creating beautiful, loving and fulfilling relationships.

3. graded adjective & adjective [usu ADJ n]

If you make a positivedecision or take positive action, you do something definite in order to deal with a task or problem. ⇒ There are positive changes that should be implemented in the rearing of animals. ⇒ He was expected to make a very positive contribution to the 1996 Games organisation. ⇒ Having a good diet gives me a sense that I'm doing something positive and that I'm in control.

4. graded adjective & adjective [usu ADJ n]

A positiveresponse to something indicates agreement, approval, or encouragement. ⇒ There's been a positive response to the U.N. Secretary-General's recent peace efforts.

positivelyadverb [ADV after v] ⇒ He responded positively and accepted the fee of £1000 I had offered.

5. graded adjective & adjective [v-link ADJ]

If you are positive about something, you are completely sure about it. ⇒ I'm as positive as I can be about it. ⇒ 'She's never late. You sure she said eight?'—'Positive.'

6. adjective [ADJ n]

Positiveevidence gives definite proof of the truth or identity of something. ⇒ There was no positive evidence that any birth defects had arisen as a result of Vitamin A intake.

positivelyadverb [ADV with v] ⇒ He has positively identified the body as that of his wife.

7. adjective

If a medical or scientific test is positive, it shows that something has happened or is present. ⇒ If the test is positive, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed. ⇒ He was stripped of his Olympic Hundred Metres gold medal after testing positive for steroids.

You can use positive to emphasize a noun. [old-fashioned, emphasis] ⇒ Good day to you, Bernard! It's a positive delight to see you. ⇒ He was in a positive fury. ⇒ The man was being a positive embarrassment.